I've got a new Dell PC. What is the best way to remove all the crapware? By this I mean all the Dell Utilities, the McAfee AV, DVD Players etc?
I've downloaded a recovery disk, but I think it's still all there. It must be installed from an script, so perhaps this could be disabled?
Download the Win 10 ISO. Do a clean install with that.
Be sure to go to Dell support site and download all the drivers for you system and have them on hand so you can fix any driver discrepancies after you do the clean install........Win 10 will catch most but not all in my experience........
Make sure to select "Custom" during the clean install so you can delete all partitions, including the Dell OEM (40 MB, with diagnostics that would still be accessible from BIOS-ROM) and the Dell PBR partition, and regain some disk real estate.
I was hoping not to need a clean install, isn't there another option now: reset I think?
You can try the "Decrapifier" program. I used to work the Dell blog and what we always suggested.
The PC Decrapifier
You could try doing a reset, just don't be surprised if it puts it back to OOBE with all the Dell Utilities still intact.
It did
I wonder if the Recovery Partition can be modified?
Easier to just do a clean install, IMHO. You'd likely have to modify an image file stored on that partition. There are some here more knowledgeable than me that can likely do that type of thing. I think it's going to end up being a lot of work though.
Hi there
Before you do anything -- download FREE macrium and image all the existing partitions on the HDD - including the hidden Dell recovery one.
That way you can restore the machine to "Shop / Factory" initial state in case you return it or something goes hideously wrong.
Download also the Windows ISO as people have suggested, and CLEAN install. You could also try the Ms Media creation tool too if you can't get hold of the W10 ISO.
Cheers
jimbo